STRESS!!! Its causes are absolutely everywhere. Would you agree? Our natural “fight or flight” stress response can sometimes go a little overboard. It’s supposed to help us escape injury or death in an emergency and then return to normal after we’ve fought or flown. But, that doesn’t happen too much in our society – it becomes a long-term reaction. It becomes chronic. You’ve probably heard of the main stress hormone, called “cortisol.” It’s released from your adrenal glands in response to stress. It’s also naturally high in the morning to get you going, and slowly fades during the day so you can sleep. Did you know that too-high levels of cortisol are associated with belly fat, poor sleep, brain fog, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and even lowers your immunity? Talk about motivation killers! Do you experience any of these? Well, then read on because I have a list of foods, nutrients and lifestyle recommendations to help you lower this stress hormone naturally!

Foods and nutrients to lower cortisol

Let’s start with one of the biggies that increase your cortisol… sugar.

When I was younger this topic made me very uncomfortable. I believed that by “serving others” while neglecting my own needs, desires, opinions and ideas I would gain love, appreciation, respect and admiration. I was setting me up for big disappointment. Admirable people like Mother Theresa, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Jesus, the Dalai Lama (and many others) share several personality traits like charisma, assertiveness, courage, conviction, passion, resiliency, etc. They all knew exactly what they wanted and did not settle for less. They never compromised their opinions and rarely experienced insecurities or self-doubt. They all respected themselves. What’s the opposite? The absence of self-love. When we feel indecisive, full of doubt or we are self-critical we exhaust ourselves and diminish the possibility of moving towards our goals, desires and passions. Even worse, when self-love is totally lacking we can end up depressed, constantly sad or in a bad mood, never happy with whom we are and we may even exhibit self-loathing. I am inviting you to take a few minutes to think about this. Where are you in the self love spectrum? Do you have a story to share? Do you disagree? Please leave me your comment and let’s start this conversation! Mari Pizarro